Families welcomed to campus for Panther Family Weekend Oct. 12

Registration is filling quickly for UWM students and their families as the university gears up for Panther Family Weekendon Oct. 12.

The weekend is designated annually for families to visit students and get familiar with campus. Activities and events offered throughout the day on Oct. 12 allow each family to build an individualized schedule with options such as lakefront bike rides and mini planetarium shows.

“Parents have a huge impact on their student’s success,” said Keri Duce, UWM’s director of external relations. “Six weeks in is about the right time where students feel somewhat settled and parents are ready to see the campus. You want families to feel included in their student’s education and give them a time to visit that shows off the student experience.”

Tickets for any events not previously sold out are available the day of the event while tickets are still available. Families can choose from a long roster of events, including cosmic bowling, campus scavenger hunt, a screening of “Toy Story 4,” trivia, a ComedySportz show and a Milwaukee Admirals game.

A complete list of activities and registration details can be found online. Some activities include accompanying fees and others are free while spots are available.

Around 1,500 UWM students and their families are expected to register for Panther Family Weekend, Duce said. The number of attendees is likely higher, as some don’t register and others register only for Panther Prowl.

The Panther Prowl, UWM’s premier race event supporting student scholarships, is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., rain or shine. The race requires an additional participation fee and separate registration. A $2 discount can be used with the code “GOPROWL” when registering.

Families can to check in from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Student Union concourse information desk, where they will receive a welcome bag with coupons for 10% off Panther Shoppurchases and badges that are needed to attend events.